Gold-saving dam.



PATENTBD JUNE 7, 1904.

E. R. DE NORMANDIE.

GOLD SAVING DAM.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1003.

N0 MODEL.

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Patented June 7, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

EDIVARD R. DE NORMANDIE, OF CLAYSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

GOLD-SAVING DAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,231, dated June 7, 1904.

Application filed nly 3, 1903- Serial No. 164,152. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD R. DE NORMAN- DIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Claysville, in the county of WVashington and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gold-Saving Dams, of .which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a gold-saver for use in connection with rubber dams or the like; and it consists of anordinary rubber dam constructed with a pocket and wings or conductors on opposite sides leading to the pocket and disposed in such manner that every particle of gold waste falling from a tooth being filled or dressed after filling will be carried into said pocket, the said wings also serving to prevent the loss of the gold particles or residue when the head of the patient is thrown sidewise or held in erect position.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional view of the improved gold-saver shown applied in operative position. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the improved device. Fig. i is an enlarged transverse vertical section showing the device in its normal condition. Fig. 5 is a detail crosssection of a portion of the improved device, showing a modification.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views. I

The numeral 1 designates a rubber dam, which may be of any shape or that usually adopted, and which is applied over a tooth and held by means of a clamp, as well known in dentistry. On the outer side of the dam a guard 2 is secured at its lower edge, and from the opposite extremities thereof wings 3 project upwardly and are attached to the dam at their outer edges. Adjacent to the lower secured edge of the guard 2 a pocket 4 is fastened to the dam and opens through an opening at the base of the guard. The guard, with its wings and the pocket, is formed of rubber similar to that used in the construction of the usual form of dams, and cement or other suitable material will be employed to secure the parts in their proper relation.

In applying the combined dam and goldsaver the dam 1 above the wings or at a point intermediate of the latter is secured over a tooth to be filled in the usual manner and held by a clamp. The inner edges of the wings and the upper edge of the guard will stand outwardly from the adjacent portion of the dam, as shown by Fig. 4, and the sides of the pocket will also separate. In filling or dressing a tooth after filling with gold the particles of the latter metal that fall from the tooth will be deposited in the pocket, and by the use of the wings 3 the patient will be permitted to position the head sidewise without defeating the function of the saver, in view of the fact that said wings will form a means on opposite sides at a suitable elevation above the pocket to catch the gold when the head of the patient is turned to either side.

In some instances it is proposed to deposit mercury in the pocket): as a vehicle to retain the gold and afterward subject the mercury to treatment ordinarily pursued in separating gold therefrom.

If mercury is not used in the pocket, the gold can be emptied into a vessel prepared for the purpose, or the whole appliance can be immersed in a receptacle containing water, when the particles of gold will settle to the bottom of such receptacle and may be subsequently dried and sold or melted into a nugget or ingot form.

As will be understood by those skilled in the .art, the rubber dam will yield to conform to facial contours and permit an application ofa portion thereof above the pocket and tooth to be filled. The part of the dam below that applied to the tooth having the pocket therein is held closely against the chin of the patient. The rear position of the pocket will permit the latter to project under the chin, and the dam will remain in this applied position, particularly after the weight devices ordinarily used are applied to the lower portion of the dam. The pocket projects from the rear side of the dam, and the guard is over the front side to cover the mouth of the pocket, the pocket being complete in its structure independent of the guard, the latter providing a direct means to cause the gold to be gathered toward and enter the pocket. The guard projects above the mouth of the pocket and has side wings or extensions, which is materially different from ordinary garment-pockets in that there is no guard above the mouth of the pocket.

It will be understood that changes in the proportions and dimensions of the several parts may be resorted to without in the least departing from the spirit of the invention.

()ne of the changes that may be adopted in some instances is shown by Fig. 5, wherein a spring 5 is used to hold the mouth of the pocket distended.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a rubber dam having an opening therethrough, a pocket located on the rear side of the dam and having the mouth thereof coinciding with the edges of the said opening, and a guard applied over the mouth of the pocket on the front side of the dam.

2. A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a rubber dam provided with a rear- Wardly projecting pocket having the mouth thereof accessible at the front side of the dam, and a loose guard applied to the front side of the dam over the mouth of the pocket and extending above the latter.

3. A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a rubber dam provided with a pocket on the rear side thereof and formed with an opening therethrough coinciding with the mouth of said pocket, and a guard of the same material as the dam applied to the front side of the dam over the opening and projecting above the latter.

4:- A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a darn provided with a pocket projecting from one side thereof and formed with an opening therethrough at the mouth of said pocket, and a guard attached to the other side of the dam over the opening and having upwardly-projecting side wings.

5. A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a rubber darn provided with a pocket on the rear side thereof and formed with an opening therethrough at the mouth of the pocket, and a guard applied to the opposite side of the dam over the opening, the lower and outer edges of the side portions of the guard being secured, theupper portion of the guard being fully open and projecting above the mouth of the pocket.

6. A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a dam provided with a pocket on the rear side thereof and having an opening therethrough at the mouth of the pocket, and a guard on the outer side of the dam over the opening, said guard extending above'the opening and also provided with upwardly-projecting wings at opposite sides with inner loose edges.

7. A gold-saver for dental purposes consisting of a rubber dam provided with a pocket on one side and having an opening therethrough at the mouth of the pocket, and a guard on the opposite side of the dam having its lower edge secured adjacent to the opening and also provided with upwardly projecting side wings having the outer edges thereof secured to the dam, the upper edge of the guard and the inner opposing edges of the wings being free to stand outwardly from the dam above the pocket.

In testimony whereof I afiEiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

E. R. DE N ORMANDIE. Witnesses:

JNo. O. KNOX,

W. R.'DENNISON. 

